Sheohar:
Four Special Auxiliary Police (SAP) personnel and a Bihar police inspector have been killed in a landmine explosion by Naxals in the Sheohar district of Bihar, just 48 hours before the second phase of polls in Bihar.
Another SAP jawan injured in the landmine blast was rushed to a nearby hospital.
The explosion took place near the Shaympur Bhitta Police Station area of the district.
A Special Task Force of Bihar police and CRPF personnel have cordoned off the area and intensified the combing operation against the Naxalites.
This latest attack comes on a day the Prime Minister made some strong remarks on Naxal violence. Dr Singh said the Indian state will not allow its authority to be challenged.
"Naxalism and Left Wing Extremism today pose a great threat to our national security. We recognize that there is a development deficit in all parts of our country. But we should be equally clear that the Indian State cannot and will not allow its authority to be challenged," said the PM.